Latest evidence suggests that both tai chi and qigong have a positive impact on immune system functioning and inflammatory responses.
The worldwide Covid-19 pandemic has driven more research into medical interventions and options that improve immunity and recovery.
The quest has been wide-ranging and has included the effect that tai chi and qigong have on our immune responses.
During 2020, a group of medical specialists and researchers from hospitals in Sydney and Seoul and also from the Harvard, Stamford and Sydney Medical Schools collaborated on a systematic review and meta-analysis of 19 full-text randomized controlled trials (RCTs) for tai chi and qigong. These 19 RCTs involved 1,686 participants in total.
The conclusion: Current evidence indicates that practising tai chi and qigong has a positive impact on immune system functioning and inflammatory responses. Read more: https://www.mdpi.com/2305-6320/7/7/39/htm
Please bear in mind that these RCTs required people to practice tai chi or qigong at least twice per week and for at least several weeks. The positive effect on your health and wellbeing from tai chi and qigong can’t happen if you only try it once or twice and then stop. You need to practice regularly. There are very few things in this world that work with just one dose.
Please also note that while the review confirmed tai chi and qigong have a positive impact on immune system functioning and inflammatory responses, it did NOT prove that these activities prevent you from catching Covid-19 or other diseases.
Additional activities that can help you to boost your immunity levels are:
- Maintaining a healthy diet
- Getting enough sleep
- Keeping hydrated, especially in summer and also when exercising
- Minimising stress
If you have any concerns about Covid-19 or other health matters, please talk to your doctor and other fully-qualified medical professionals.